Independents and Greens committed to small business, reports the Franchise Council of Australia

The Franchise Council of Australia has been assured by the four independents undertaking negotiations in Canberra with the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition that franchising and small business generally will be a key consideration in their discussions.

Executive Director of the franchise business advice body, Steve Wright spoke to all four in Canberra yesterday, and confirms that “they all told me they are keen supporters of small business and have committed to putting small business interests high on their agenda.”

He says a similar level of support is expected from Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie and new WA National Party MP Tony Crook if they join the independents on the cross benches.

Mr Wright says this is good news for the franchising sector, with the business advice body now prepared for a period of relative stability.

“Stability in-line with the previous Government’s promise to let the July 1st changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct settle, and the benefits take root,” Mr Wright explains.

The franchise consultants have heard plenty of discussions about franchising rules from both sides of politics over the past two years, he says, and now the sector needs a period of relative stability to let the changes introduced on July 1 to settle.